Discussions By Condition: I cannot get a diagnosis.

BarbD

For the past 6 weeks, I have taken continuing 10-day courses of Cipro for urinary burning and urgency that occur at the end of urination. Because I am allergic to most antibiotics, I've only taken Cipro. I have NO back pain and no other symptoms except, incidentally I suppose, a swollen right knee (off and on) and joint pain all over my body (which I have had for a long time and have been treated with all the drugs that have now been taken off the market for inflammation). My initial several urinanalyses showed non-specific, mixed flora but 10 days ago, that urinanalyses showed a high white blood cell count. Additionally, I have been given Pyridium, Pyridium Plus, and now Urised--all of which have worked for a couple of days but not long term. I've had ultrasounds taken of my kidneys and bladder, all of which were negative except for a couple of small cysts in my left kidney which urinologists discounted as to my age, 71. One urologist "diagnosed" me with IC - which the next urinologist said I didn't have but he had no diagnosis at all. My family doctor ended up treating me the last time (10 days ago) with additional Cipro, Urised, 5 milligrams of Valium at night for two weeks and Primarin cream. I finished the Cipro three days ago, stopped taking the Urised to see if burning/urgency symptoms would persist--and they did. My family doctor's office is closed this week for vacation. I MUST be eating or drinking or doing something that exacerabates my condition. I take Accupril (generic), .81 enteric-coated aspirin, and Prozac daily. When my knee swells, I take ibuprofen - but this symptom just comes and goes with no regularity. Please somebody HELP!

4 Replies:

Being a brand new "member," I didn't give anyone a CLUE as to my current dilemma! Please respond now. For the past 6 weeks, I have taken continuing 10-day courses of Cipro for urinary burning and urgency that occur at the end of urination. Because I am allergic to most antibiotics, I've only taken Cipro. I have NO back pain and no other symptoms except, incidentally I suppose, a swollen right knee (off and on) and joint pain all over my body (which I have had for a long time and have been treated with all the drugs that have now been taken off the market for inflammation). My initial several urinanalyses showed non-specific, mixed flora but 10 days ago, that urinanalyses showed a high white blood cell count. Additionally, I have been given Pyridium, Pyridium Plus, and now Urised--all of which have worked for a couple of days but not long term. I've had ultrasounds taken of my kidneys and bladder, all of which were negative except for a couple of small cysts in my left kidney which urinologists discounted as to my age, 71. One urologist "diagnosed" me with IC - which the next urinologist said I didn't have but he had no diagnosis at all. My family doctor ended up treating me the last time (10 days ago) with additional Cipro, Urised, 5 milligrams of Valium at night for two weeks and Primarin cream. I finished the Cipro three days ago, stopped taking the Urised to see if burning/urgency symptoms would persist--and they did. My family doctor's office is closed this week for vacation. I MUST be eating or drinking or doing something that exacerabates my condition. I take Accupril (generic), .81 enteric-coated aspirin, and Prozac daily. When my knee swells, I take ibuprofen - but this symptom just comes and goes with no regularity. Please somebody HELP!

barb, research information on chronic fatigue syndrome. Don't let the name fool you. it affects people of all ages and both sexes. Alot of people are having the urinary symptoms. Some are having more respiratory than urinary and so on. It affects everyone differently. The antibiotics could be causing more harm than good. Look into Oil of Oregano which is harmless to the liver and is a "natural" antibiotic. Of course, check with a doctor but you will have more luck with a naturopath.Barb, I understand you are 71. Please look into Bioset therapy. I would not have believed it if I hadn't gone myself. it works. There are doctors all over the country doing this for it is the new 'wave" of medical treatment. It is non-invasive and miraculous. really. Look into it and be well. MC

Barb, I am not sure if you were ever on long term steroids for your joint problems but it can affect your immune system and your ability to heal. Cipro is the antibiotic of choice for UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections) so the fact it didn't help may mean you may need IV antibiotic therapy which is more potent. God bless.

Oh, Barb, I feel your pain and I am so sorry for you. I am concerned you mention you are allergic to every other antibiotic. List your symptoms: join pain and swelling, inflammation (obviously of the urethra), inability to get rid of an infection. Anything else? (As an aside: I believe aspirin exacerbates Interstitial Cystitis. Also tomatoes and other acidic, spicy foods, So if you think it is the food, then it could be IC.) Inability to heal from an infection typically points Dr.'s to look at Diabetes. Are you taking any "new" herbs or teas? Any new vitamins? So you've had joint pain all over your body...for years? You don't mention Rhematoid Arthritis. Were you tested for it? If it is negative...the other poster may be on to something. I hate to ask...how is your memory? Any tremors? Hmmmm....you say you are allergic to most antibiotics. Are you allergic to the salicylates in aspirin? AND you've taken all kinds of other pain meds for joint pain that were taken off the market (let me guess--Vioxx?)? My aunt died from complications due to Vioxx. Did you know that simple kidney cysts are related to high blood pressure and vice versa? Simple kidney cysts are found in 30% of people over age 70 incidentally. Also, perhaps the cyst has developed an infection. Also, you mention that your urine now has WBC's: "If the patient has pyelonephritis, the urine tests will show the presence of white blood cells, and bacteria in the urine." This same article mentiones chronic pyelonephritis which would explain the "no pain" you describe. Check here for info:https://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/pyelonephritis.jsp But I would still want to know the why. Why? ...look at the bigger picture. List all symptoms--everything! Did you get the flu shot? Pneumonia shot? Do you have fatigue? CFS/ME: it is adding up. Try the oil of oregano and do not drink any teas. I have recently read that fasting for a short time can help clear some symptoms. However, that would be hard for me, so, I might try a very simple bland diet. No artificial sweetners. No alcohol. No Atkins products or South Beach products with "sugar alcohols". I suppose, also, you could have yeast overgrowth and you likely will with the amount of antibiotics you are taking. Though this and other opportunistic infections are prevalent in CFS. Also--if your Dr. is out of town, find an urgent care clinic to go to. Another opinion might be worth getting.